Thug is the new Nigg**!!

[Butterbean]

340. I can't even believe I'm jumping into this fray, but here goes.

Bravenak is right, and people who disagree are splitting hairs here. If you really take an honest look at it, and let go of the hostile, guilty, kneejerk offended-at-being-possibly-identified-as-a-racist reaction, you (I say that as a general "you," addressing those who are not AA) can really see it for what it is. Yeah, maybe people who aren't racists and who can see things with clearer heads will identify white youths rioting and looting as "thugs" the same as they would black youths. HOWEVER, the turning point came when it became a code word or dog whistle for the n-word, and that has made it offensive to use, regardless if the person using it meant no offense or racism.

It's been MADE something ugly by others, and therefore, perception is what matters most here, and perception, as we know, is everything in our society. Our society speaks in code a lot of the time, and for those with an agenda, that goes doubly so.

Is it uncomfortable to discuss this and to admit that yet again, the racists have made another seemingly innocuous word something dirty and vile? Yes. Does it mean it's not real and offensive, even if the president uses it? No.